PARTNERSHIPS SAVED ANIMALS, MITIGATED DISASTER

ABBOTSFORD – Preparation, partnership and perseverance were key in helping the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands deal successfully with the 2007 flooding event, Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat Bell announced today as he personally thanked those involved.

“Helping farmers prepare, respond and recover from a flood incident was our number one priority this spring,” said Bell. “Thanks to a hugely collaborative effort with B.C.’s agricultural associations, our combined approach served to protect animal health and the health of the industry as a whole in the lower Fraser Valley.”

After 48 days of operations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands successfully helped farmers prepare to relocate animals out of the high-risk flood zone in the lower Fraser Valley. MEOC staff worked closely with the Provincial Emergency Program, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, the Canadian Disaster Animal Rescue Team, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, local governments, and the dairy, poultry and swine industries.

“Having grown up on a dairy farm, I know the logistical challenges movement of cattle presents,” said Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General John Les. “I commend the industry for finding community-based solutions to relocate animals to higher ground.”

From May 4 – June 20, 67 provincial government staff (52 from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, two from the Integrated Land Management Bureau, nine from the Ministry of Forests and Range and four contracted by MAL) and 18 federal government staff working in the MEOC managed to:

Assist seven farms in moving dairy animals within the Lower Fraser Valley to higher ground. These seven farms accounted for 900 dairy animals (275 lactating, 625 non-lactating).
Receive and approve 41 dairy applications, accounting for about 8,700 cows. A total of 48 dairy farms (approx 10,000 total cows) were identified as being in the high-risk region. This represents about an 85 per cent response rate from the dairy industry.
Achieve no livestock mortalities related to flooding.
Procure more than a dozen cattle liners and gooseneck trailers, and six loading chutes to assist the movement of cattle.

Acting as the link between industry and government, the BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) and BC Milk Producers Association (BCMPA) were instrumental in co-ordinating with the MEOC to communicate updates to farmers on a daily basis.

“In any emergency situation, a co-ordinated response is necessary to minimize loss and lessen environmental and financial impacts,” said Dick Klein Geltink, chair of BCAC. “Lessons learned from that 48-day period will serve to prepare us for future flooding events in the province.”

“Emergencies strike, often without warning, and can cause major damage and financial loss,” said Cornelis Hertgers, chair of the BC Milk Producers Association. “Dairy farmers are especially vulnerable and the industry is to be congratulated for actively preparing for and responding to the call to relocate.”

-30-


Media contact:	Liz Bicknell Communications Director Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 250 356-2862 250 213-3072 (cell)

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.